Hey all, I do not own any muzzleloading long guns, but I want to build one. I’ve taken a liken to the Investarms Gemmer Hawken kit. I haven’t seen it up close, but from what I have read on here and what I’ve seen online it looks like a decent kit. Plus I shoot long guns left handed so they do offer lefty kits. It’s approaching the upper limit to what I want spend also. I recently built a Traditions Trapper percussion pistol from a kit and it came out very nice. The question I have is to go with a flintlock or percussion. I love the idea of the flint, and love the look of the flintlock,the only drawback to me is black powder only. I’ve made my own black powder in small batches with a ball mill and it worked fine in my Remington old army, but I also use substitutes quite a bit with that revolver. I also make my own percussion caps with good success so common sense is stick with a caplock. But there is just something about those flintlocks! They look so much better or “right” to my eyes. I probably won’t be hunting just mostly target shooting as this point. This is also something to keep me busy during my new retirement. At least when I finish the honeydew list! Anyway just looking for some opinions from folks who have real world experience with muzzleloaders. I’m in SW Florida by the way if anyone else on here is in this area. Thanks in advance!
Greetings..
I just noticed your post, and thought that I would respond. It seems that alot of people are getting into Hawken rifles. I used to not be such a fan of half stocks, but for whatever reason have taken a liking to these rifles.
I have built two previous long rifles, both Kentucky in flintlock and percussion.. I just now completed a Hawken Gemmer kit by Investarm. To my understanding these are Plaines Rifle kits formerly offered by Lyman.
I went shopping at muzzle-loaders.com, and purchased the Hawken Gemmer in flintlock. You are right, flintlocks do look right. I am planning on purchasing another gemmer in percussion and then a Kibler Colonial.
Moving on, I was running a thread on here during the build, and would be more than glad to offer any assistance. The kit is nice, the parts are of good quality. All metal parts are steel, and will require some clean-up. I like the idea of steel, it provides more options, as to blue or brown. I blued my furniture, and the barrel. I used Birchwood Casey perma blue on the furniture and Birchwood Casey's, super blue on the barrel. The lock is handsome, I was thinking of switching out to an L&R lock available at TOW, as I did with my Kentucky, but it looks great, is heavy and does the job just fine.
When I initially set out to build the kit, I was going to do my best at recreating a Hawken rifle. There are some challenges which come with such an order, but you can get close with the kit. YouTube has several videos of this being done.
Mine is getting a few more coats of Tru-Oil today, and I will then reassemble and call it good.
You will not be disappointed, just be warned that there is much material which must be removed from the stock.
Again, any questions that you may have, please feel free to ask.
Best
Ryan
